MARKET MUSINGS

December 7, 2016 · 0 Comments

By Jan Freedman

It has been a long time since the beginning of May and now the Aurora Farmers’ Market and Artisan Fair is about to host our final market of the season on Saturday, December 10 at the Armoury.
We are planning a very festive Christmas themed party with great musical entertainment by the local group, “Willin’ and Abel.”
Before I tell you who will be there, let me introduce you to one more new artisan.
Robin McKenzie is a native North American artist. She is a member of Eagle Village First Nation, which is 1 of 9 Algonquin communities within the province of Quebec. Although she has had no formal training or schooling in either art or sewing, her path in life has steadily led her in this direction. Robin gives credit to her Aunt Rose Jawbone as one of the first people to set her on this path at the young age of thirteen. Robin’s aunt taught her to use a sewing machine and read patterns. Soon, Robin’s interests grew to making patterns and designing clothing, and she began a small business as a seamstress.
Growing up in her community meant that Robin didn’t have many opportunities to develop a cultural identity or to learn the Algonquin language. So, a few years ago, she made the difficult decision to leave her community and move to North Bay, Ontario. Since moving to North Bay, Robin has attended many events and ceremonies at Nipissing First Nation, which resulted from her stay at the “Ojibway Women Lodge”. These events and ceremonies are what have helped Robin to develop and incorporate Native culture into her sewing.
Robin has developed a truly unique style with the fabrication of canvas wall hangings which she has been creating for the last two years. Each one has been inspired by the teachings of the Native culture, more specifically the Ojibway teachings of the Nipissing First Nation.
When creating a canvas wall hanging, Robin always hopes to invoke a presence of spiritual empowerment into each piece of her artwork. Creating these canvas wall hangings has become her life’s passion. Please drop by her table to admire her beautiful work and ask about the symbolism in her art.
And now, for the final time this season, here is the list of vendors who are expected to be at our last indoor market until we open our outdoor season in May:
The farmers include 19th Avenue Farm, the Abbott Family Farm, Beaver River Organics, Oakridge’s Finest, Pioneer Brand Honey and Grown with Care Farm.
The food vendors will be Catharina’s Kitchen, Green River Coffee, Guilt Free Goodness, Jan’s Country Pantry, John Abraham, Nerpy’s Inc., Nutmeg Bakeshop, Chad Cummings, and the York Region Food Network.
Among the artisans you will find Captain Ted’s Knick-Knack-a-Tory, Catharine DeVos Holistic Nutritionist, Cathy’s Crawly Composters, Creatures of Comfort, Creepy Tours, Eurasia Jewellery Design, Eva Nagy, Green Leaf Designs, Heartsease, Kibo Natural Body Care, Limitless Jewels, Michelle Zikowitz, Out of My Mind, Sweet Scrubs N’ Stuff, The Bear’s Den, Wood U, Eco Girl, Becky Yin, Robin McKenzie and Optimist Bill Hack. Also, we may have a vendor selling Christmas wreaths. There will be something for everyone, of all tastes and it will be the perfect opportunity to choose some last minute Christmas treats and gifts. Councillor John Abel’s band, “Willin’ and Abel” will be providing the entertainment for the day.
See you at the Indoor Market